Jackson, Tennessee, Personal Injury & Workers' Compensation Law Blog

Tennessee officer latest victim of fatal car accidents

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC posted in car accidents on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

The decision to work as a public servant charged with protecting residents is seldom undertaken without full consideration of the risks involved. In spite of the inherent danger of police work, it is often the ordinary dangers that take the greatest toll on the lives of both law enforcement and civilians. Recently, a Tennessee police officer became the latest victim of fatal car accidents involving law enforcement.

The fatal collision occurred at an intersection as the four-year veteran of the Nashville Police Department was responding to a call. His service vehicle was struck by a 17-year-old driver who was purportedly fleeing from a traffic stop. The impact killed the 28-year-old man at the scene. The teen's passenger was critically injured in the crash while the driver suffered only minor injuries for which she was treated and later released.

Learn basic motorcycle hand signals for group rides

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC on Tuesday, July 9, 2019.

The warm summer months are a good time to head out on the highway on your big two-wheeler with a group of like-minded motorcycle riders. Group rides can be a great bonding experience and a lot of fun for everyone involved.

But as with any motorcycle experience, a group ride poses certain dangers. However, with some planning and a little foresight, many of these can be overcome. One way to be safer on your group ride is to make sure that everyone knows the basic motorcycle hand signals.

A personal injury suit may help with needed home modifications

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC posted in personal injury on Thursday, July 4, 2019.

If in a serious accident, a victim may be left with permanent disability for which he or she may need to make adjustments in the future. One of the most daunting tasks may be finding ways to make a home more accessible. If a victim is injured in a Tennessee accident, he or she may have a basis for filing a personal injury lawsuit.

An accident that leaves a person with a physical handicap may not realize at first just how many areas of life will be adversely affected. If one is expected to be confined to a wheelchair or has to make other concessions to limited abilities, the home in which he or she lives may need to be modified. One of the first places to start is with the exterior and entrances. Surfaces leading up to the home may need to be made level or have ramps installed. Driveways or sidewalks may need modifications to increase traction for wheelchairs or for those who are susceptible to slips and falls.

When can you sue your employer after a workplace accident?

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC on Tuesday, July 2, 2019.

Getting hurt at work can turn your daily life from simple and straightforward into something more difficult and financially precarious. Instead of having a reliable income, you may now have an increasing level of medical debt to worry about, as well as your lack of regular income to complicate things further.

Depending on the circumstances leading up to your injury and the severity of the injury itself, you could not be able to return to work for a few days, a few weeks or even the rest of your life. Increased expenses are hard enough for a household to absorb, but when you compound the medical costs of an accident with the lost wages, they can prove impossible for your family to overcome.

Workers' compensation may also provide death benefits

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC posted in workers' compensation on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

No matter what one does for a living, there may always exist the possibility that a tragic accident can occur. While most Tennessee workers are aware of the benefits provided by the workers' compensation insurance program, not everyone may know that the program may also supply death benefits to survivors under certain circumstances. Tragically, a fatal accident can occur without warning, leaving financial hardships in the aftermath.

Recently, officials were called to a Nashville quarry for reports of a worker suffering a serious accident. It was determined that a 22-year-old man was working in the quarry while a front-end loader was being used to dump sand into the ditch. For reasons that are unclear, the machinery slid down and into the opening where the man was working.

You can avoid these common motorcycle accidents

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC on Thursday, June 6, 2019.

Riding a motorcycle brings a sense of freedom and excitement. When you climb on your bike, you are not cut off from your surroundings like you are when you drive your car. Part of the reason many people experience exhilaration is due to the level of danger that also comes along with riding a motorcycle.

Now that summer is getting into full swing in Tennessee, you are probably starting to spend more time on your bike. Moreover, you may be feeling like every other vehicle on the road is out to get you. While this may make you think you are overly paranoid, in truth, your assessment is not far off. A bit of paranoia can go a long way to help you avoid a motorcycle accident. In addition, understanding these common types of motorcycle collisions can help you avoid becoming a victim the next time you are on the road.

Study finds some workers' compensation claims due to inexperience

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC posted in workers' compensation on Thursday, June 6, 2019.

During the warmer weather months, the construction industry is in full swing. Every year, many Tennessee workers are drawn to this field for a variety of reasons. However, a recent study points out that nearly half of claims for workers' compensation benefits for construction injuries are generated by those who are new to the industry.

Researchers with the Construction Industry Research and Policy Center analyzed approximately 9,000 cases to determine whether there is a correlation between longevity on the job and injury rate. The study showed that workers who had less than one year of experience filed approximately 44.5% of claims. Among that figure, an estimated 30% of reported injuries came from those with less than six months on the job. The majority of those claims involved injuries to the hands, lower back, shoulders and fingers. Injuries to these areas comprised over 55% of claims.

Residents concerned about future car accidents in area

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC posted in car accidents on Thursday, May 23, 2019.

Recently, police in one Tennessee city reported to the scene of a fatal two-car crash. The two victims who died in the crash were a mother and daughter on their way to a lunch date. Residents in the area are worried about possible future car accidents due to purportedly hazardous conditions.

The crash that killed a woman and her daughter occurred near an intersection that residents have previously complained about for excessive speeding. According to one source, the area features a hilly section that makes it difficult for motorists to see oncoming traffic. Along with the hill, residents described tree growth that makes it treacherous for drivers who are attempting to complete left turns onto the roadway.

Protect yourself from a pedestrian accident this summer

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC on Friday, May 10, 2019.

With the summer months right around the corner, you may find yourself spending more time outdoors in Tennessee. From riding your bicycle to walking to and from work, it's enjoyable to spend time in the fresh air.

However, you don't want to enjoy yourself so much that you overlook your safety. There are many steps you can take to protect yourself from a pedestrian accident this summer, such as the following:

Obey all signs and signals: For example, if a "don't walk" signal appears at an intersection, stay where you are until it changes.
Use marked crosswalks: Not only does this ensure that you're crossing in a safe place, but it gives drivers extra warning that pedestrians may be on the road.
Never dart into traffic: Even if you're in a hurry, stay on the sidewalk until it's safe to cross the street.

Fatal crash caused by drunk driver could be wrongful death case

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC posted in wrongful death on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

Traveling the highways throughout the nation is often challenging enough based on congestion and roadwork. Add in the possibility that impaired drivers may be traveling along these same roads and the level of danger increases substantially. Sadly, when an impaired driver causes the death of an innocent Tennessee victim, surviving family may have recourse for justice through a wrongful death civil suit.

Recently, Tennessee officials were called to the scene of a fatal collision. The report indicated that a motorist in a pickup truck was traveling down I-24 when his vehicle spun out of his control and collided with a roadside barrier. Another driver was forced to take evasive action to avoid striking the wreck vehicle. Unfortunately, the 51-year-old man was unable to safely navigate around the crash scene. His vehicle lost contact with the roadway, causing him to smash into a roadside pole.